Construction for bracelets and the like



Jan. 2l, 1.930. A. PERSON CONSTRUCTION FOR BRACELETS AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 2l, 1927 BY l RCM XeqMA'AT'l-ORNEY Patented Jan. 21, 1930 UNITED STATI-:s

PATENT oFFicE AXEL PERSON, OF ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T HARVEY OLAP & CO., OF ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, .A EARTNERSHIP CONSTRUCTION FOR BRACELETS .AND THE LIKE Application led September 21, 1927.

This invention relates to construction for bracelets or the like and more particularly to connecting devices or clasps therefor.

One of the objects of the invention is to c provide a construction of the above nature which affords a highly efficient connection. Another object is to provide a construction of the above nature which is simple and convenient to operate in making or breaking the connection. Another object is to provide a construction ofthe above nature which is particularly well adapted for use in a flexible chain bracelet and which does not interfere with the free action and fiexibility of the bracelet. Another object is to provide a construction of the above nature which is strong and rugged. Another object is to provide a construction of the above nature which is neat and attractive in appearance. Other objects will be in part obvious or in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts as will be exemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawing in which is shown one of the various possible embodiments of this invention,

Figure 1 is a plan view;

Figure 2 is a section taken as indicated by the line 2 2 in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a bottom view of the parts shown in Figures 1 and 2;

Figures 4; and 5 show bottom views of the two members of the clasp, respectively;

Figure 6 isa section taken as indicated by 'F the line 6 6 in Figure 3, and

Figure 7 is a section along the line 7 7 of Figure 5.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the f3: drawing.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, there is shown a bracelet the body of which is made of a plurality of hingedly connected bracelet sections or units. Each of these units comprises an outerbox-like link mem Serial No. 220,946.

ber 10 and an inner sliding link member 11 which is urged into its outer link by a spring 12. Each of these outer link members 10 has extending between the side walls adjacent one end thereof a pin 13 to which the inner link member 11 of the next adjoining bracelet unit is connected. Preferably, the bottom walls of the inner sliding link members are split, as shown at 14, so that the ends of these link members form hooks which are detachable from the pins 13; thereby the bracelet units or sections are individually removable and replaceable for purposes of repair or to shorten or lengthen the bracelet.

The two end units or sections 1()a and 10b of the bracelet are detachably connected toget-her by means of the clasp or connecting device which will be described in detail herein. The bracelet, a portion of which is shown herein, is particularly well adapted for use as a wrist watch bracelet. In such a bracelet the clasp or catch is ordinarily positioned in the middle of the bracelet, but it may be positioned at any desired point. The provision of a clasp or connecting device of this nature is of particular advantage in a wrist watch bracelet since it permits convenient positioning of the wrist watch and its convenient removal without detaching the bracelet from the watch and without danger of un- Y duly straining the bracelet by attempting to force it over the hand. Although the con` nector or clasp is shown herein in connection with an extensible link bracelet, it is to be understood that the invention in its broader aspects is equally well adapted for use in bracelets of other types and also, if desired, for use in necklaces or the like.

Considering now the connector or clasp more particularly, there is provided at one end of the bracelet` in this instance attached to the bracelet unit 10, a member 15 which is of substantially the same size and shape as the outer link members 10 of the bracelet sections forming the body of the bracelet. This member 15 is provided with a top Wall 16 and depending side walls 17 and 18. Between the two side walls adjacent one end of the member extends a pin 19 similar to the pins 13 of the bracelet sections, and the member 15 is attached to the bracelet unit 10 by the inner link member 11 of the unit hooking over the pin 19. The side walls 17 and 18 of the member 15 are extended inwardly at the bottom, forming portions 2O and 21 respectively, and thence upwardly toward the under side of the top wall 16, forming inner vertical walls 22 and 23 respectively (Figure 6). Between the inner walls 22 and 23 and the outer walls 17 and 18 are thus formed a pair of channels extending longitudinally of the member 15.

To the other end of the bracelet, in this instance to the end bracelet unit 10b, is con nected a member 24 which is received within the member 15. This member 24 hasI a top wall depending side walls 26'and27, `a. bottomrwall28, and also end walls 29and 30. The member 24 is thus substantially in'the shape of aclosed box sand it is attached to the bracelet unit 10b by the end wall 30thereof hooking over the pin 13 of the unit 10". Preferably themember 24 isformed ofy one sheet metal piece the ends of which abut at 31 (Figure 2).

The member 24 is receivedwithin the member v15, sliding thereintobetweenthe router Walls thereof. r1`he top wall 25 of the member 24 slides beneath the topvwall-'16 4of the member 15, and the dependingsidewalls 26 and 27 slide into the spaces or channels between the respective pairs ofwalls 17 and 22 and 18 and 23. Thefbottom wall 28 of the member'24 is'spaced, along its si'des,.from the bottom edges of theside wallsv 26 an`dt27 andis received between the portions 2() and 21 of the member 15, as shown in Figure 6.

Enclosed within-the'walls of the member 24 is a spring catchmember `for removably locking the two members together. This spring catch takes the form of aU-shaped member 32, the closed end 33 of which is directed outwardly away from the bracelet end 10, and the two arms 34 and 35 of which lie in a horizontal plane. Adjacent the inner enid of the member, the-'arm 34 of thespring catch member is provided with an outwardly projecting lug 36 having apart 37 which is received in an opening in the side Wall 26, and having a surface 38l which'bears against the inner surface of this wall. The etherarm of the spring catch member hasiformed on its outer side a projection 39 which tapers oflin an inclinedv surface 40 towardthe'onter orclosed end of the UsshapedV member. )Adjacent its end thearm 35 hasta' part 41extending 1 outwardly through f an opening in ithe sidewall 27l and forming a nger piece which may be urged inwardly to'spring thearm 35 inwardly.

Inlthe inner wall 23 of thebracelet end member 15 is formed a notch 42. When the member 24 isy advanced into they member '15 to make connection between the bracelet ends, the inclined surface 400i the U-shaped catch member engages the part 23 (Figure 7) of the wall 23 and the arm 35 of the catch is sprung inwardly. As the member 24 is further advanced, into the member 15, the projection 39 drops into the notch 42 and the arm 35 springs outwardly to lock the bracelet ends against separation. vThe wall 23 is cut away at 23b and the wall 18 is cut away in the form of a notch or slot 18L to receive the projecting finger piece 41. yIn Figures 4 and 5 the two ends Aof the bracelet are shown separated,and in Figures 1, 2 and 3 they are shown joined together as above described. The finger piece 41 projects outwardly through the side wall 27 of the inner member 24 and through the outerwall 18 ofthe outer member 15 and, by depressingfthis finger piece, thespringcatclr is released so that the member y24 may be withdrawn and the bracelet ends separated.

Mounted upon'thebracelet end 15 lis a swinging-member or'yoke comprising al pair of arms 43 land 44 and a connecting part 45. The'iarms 43 and I44 are pivoted upon the projecting ends of the pin 19 of theimember 15 and they swing into position vexterior' yof theside walls 17 `and 18 respectively, the part 45 swinging down against the surface ofthe top wall 16. Projecting downwardly from the edge 45a of the part 45 is afinger or lug 46 lwhich is preferably formed. integrally therewith. In Figure 7 the yokeis shown swung upwardly to Vinoperative position. lVhen this yoke 1s swung downwardly to the position shown in Figures 1 and 2, the finger 46 passes through an opening'47 formed in the top-wall. 16 of the member 15 and enters into engage'ment'with the top wall 25' of the member24, preferably` entering an opening 48 therein which registers with .the opening 47 whenfthebracelet ends aretogether-and thespring catch member 32 is operative.

The finger 46 of the yoke thus locks the bracelet ends against separation-and provides a dependable safeguard to prevent separa-tion of the bracelet ends incase the finger piece 41 should be accidently depressed. Also, the two coacting locks provided by the finger 46 and the spring catchv member 32 forma dependable Vguard 'against Vthe possibility of a thief detaching the ybracelet ends and removing1 thebraceletfrom'the wrist. In order to hold the lockingyoke in'its operative position, the 'outer ends'of the arms 43-'and'44 grip and frictionally engage the outer sides ofthe member '15, as shown at 43a `and 44 in Figure 6.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the clasp. construction herein provided is distinctly advantageous. The box-like member 24 fitssnugly within they member 15 so that there isno side play or other looseness after the connection ismade. lThe-spring catchmember issubstantially concealedwhen'.thel bracelet endsare connectedand also-'when they are lic separated. In addition, when this catch construction is employed in an extensible link bracelet such as that illustrated herein, it does not break up the continuity of appearance of the bracelet nor interfere with its flexibility and freedom of action. The end member 24 with the parts carried thereby is hinged to the bracelet unit 10b, and the end member 15 with the parts carried'thereby is hinged to the bracelet member 10a. The construction is strong and durable throughout and not susceptible to breakage or liable to get out of order.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In bracelet construction, in combination, a bracelet end having side walls, a second bracelet end adapted to be connected to said first end and having side walls slidably received between the said side walls of said first bracelet end, a spring catch member upon said second bracelet end positioned between said side walls thereof, and means upon said first bracelet end comprising a slotted inner side wall spaced from one of said other side walls thereof, for cooperating with said spring catch.

2. In bracelet construction, in combination, a pair of bracelet ends fitting one within the other, means for pivotally connecting the bracelet ends to remaining portions of the bracelet, and a pivotal locking member on the outer bracelet end having its pivotal axis coincident with that of said connecting means and having a projecting finger passing through said outer bracelet end` into locking engagementA with said inner bracelet end.

3. In bracelet construction, in combination, a bracelet end having side walls and means for holding the latter in spaced relation, a second bracelet end adapted to be received between said side walls of said first bracelet end, said second bracelet end having a top wall and a bottom wall and means for holding said top and bottom walls in spaced relation, and a spring catch member upon said second bracelet end positioned between said topand bottom walls thereof, said first bracelet end having means for cooperating with said catch to removably lock said bracelet ends together, and a separate locking member upon said first bracelet end entering one of said walls of said second bracelet end.

4f. In bracelet construction, in combination, a bracelet end having means forming a pivoted connection to a remaining portion of the bracelet having a top wall and side walls, a second bracelet end adapted to be received within said first bracelet end and having a top wall, and a swinging member upon said first bracelet end pivotally mounted coaxially with said pivoted connection-forming means and having a part entering an opening in said top wall thereof and into engagement with said top wall of said second bracelet end therebeneath.

5. In bracelet construction, in combination, a bracelet end having a top wall and side walls, a second bracelet end adapted to be slidably fitted and received within said first bracelet end and having top, bottom and side walls, a spring catch member on said second bracelet end positioned within said walls thereof, and means carried by a wall of said first bracelet end and for co-operating with said catch to lock said bracelet ends together.

6. In bracelet construction, in combination, a bracelet end having a top wall and side walls, a second bracelet end adapted to be received within said first bracelet end and having top, bottom and side walls, and a swinging member pivoted at two spaced points upon said first bracelet end having a part entering an opening in one of said walls thereof and entering into engagement with one of the walls of said second bracelet end therebeneath.

7. In bracelet construction, in combination, a bracelet end having atop wall and side walls, and a second bracelet end having a spring catch member adapted to be received within said walls of said first bracelet end, one of said side walls of said first bracelet end being extended inwardly from its bottom edgeand thence upwardly toward said top wall, and said upwardly extending portion having means adapted to cooperate with said spring catch to lock said bracelet ends together.

8. In bracelet construction in combination, a bracelet end having a top wall and side walls, said side walls being extended inwardly from their bottom edges `and thence upwardly toward said top wall, to form portions spaced from said side walls, a second bracelet end having side walls each slidably received between a side wall and spaced portion thereof of said first bracelet end and having means for holding the side walls thereof in spaced relation, and a spring catch device acting between one of said vside walls of said second bracelet end and one of said extensions of the side Walls of said first bracelet end.

9. In bracelet construction, in combination, a bracelet end having a top wallV and side walls, said side walls being extended inwardly from their bottom edges and thence upwardly toward said top wall to form portions spaced from said side walls, a second bracelet end having side walls each slidably received between a side wall and spaced portion thereof of said first bracelet end and having means for holding the side walls thereof in spaced relation, and aspringcatch member positionedlbetween the side walls of said second bracelet end and cooperating with one of said extensions of the side walls of said first bracclet end.

10. In `bracelet construction, in combination, a bracelet end having a top wall and depending outer side walls, said side walls being extended inwardly and -upwardly from the bottom forming a pair of inner walls spaced from said side walls, the upper edges of said inner walls being spaced from the inner surface of said top wall, a second bracelet end having a top wall received beneath said top wall of said first bracelet end and having side walls depending therefrom into the spaces between said inner and outer walls of' said first bracelet end, and a spring catch device actin between said side walls of said second bracelet end and said inner walls of said first bracelet end.

11. In bracelet construction, in combination, a bracelet end having a top wall and depending outer side walls, said side walls being extended inwardly and upwardly 'from thc bottom forming a pair of inner walls spaced from said side walls, the upper edges of said inner walls being spaced from the inner surface of said top wall, a second-bracelet end having a top wall received beneath said top wall of said first bracelet end and having side Walls depending therefrom into the spaces between said inner and outer walls of said first bracelet end, and a spring catch device acting between said side walls of said second bracelet end and said inner walls of said first bracelet end, said second bracelet end having also a bottom wall substantially concealing said spring catch means.

12. In bracelet construction, in conbination, a bracelet end having a top wall and side Walls, a second bracelet end adapted to be reoeived within the walls of said first bracelet end and having a pair off side walls and having means for holding the side walls thereof in spaced relation, the side walls of said second bracelet end being slidably fitted relative to the side walls of said first bracelet end, a substantially U-shaped spring catch member mounted between said side walls of said second bracelet end, a finger piece for o erating said spring catch proJecting oiitwardly through one of said side walls, and means on said first bracelet end for cooperating with said spring catch to lock said bracelet ends together.

13. In bracelet construction, in combination, a bracelet end having a top wall and side walls, a second bracelet end having thereon a spring catch member constructed to yield in a direction toward or away from one of said side walls kand adapted to be received within said first bracelet end, and means extending inwardly and upwardly from the bottom of one-.of-saidfaidew1a.l1s for cooperating with said spring catch to lock said bracelet ends together.

14;. In bracelet construction, in combination, a bracelet end having a top wall and side walls, a second bracelet end having thereon a spring catch member adapted to be received within said first bracelet end, and an inner wall on said first bracelet. end extending substantially parallel to said side walls thereof and having means 'for cooperating with said spring catch to lock said bracelet ends together 15. In bracelet construction, in combination, a pair of bracelet ends of substantially rectangular cross section slidably fitting one within the other, and a pivoted locking meniber on the outer bracelet end comprisinga pair of arms pivoted upon the sides thereof and a part connecting said arms, said part having a projecting finger passing through an opening in said outer bracelet end and entering into engagement with the inner bracelet end.

16. In bracelet construction, in combination, an outer bracelet end, an inner bracelet end received within said outer bracelet end, a. spring catch acting between said bracelet ends to lock them together, and a pivotcd locking member on said outer bracelet end comprising a yoke having arms pivoted upon the sides thereof and a projecting part passing through said outer bracelet end and into engagement with said inner bracelet end, portions of said pivoted arms springing into cngagement with the sides of said outer bracclet member to yieldingly hold said yoke in locking position.

17. In bracelet construction, in combination, a bracelet end having a top wall and depending outer side walls, said side walls bcing extended inwardly and upwardly from the bottom forming a pair of inner walls spaced from said side walls, a member having two side portions held in spaced relation and each received between one of said inner walls and an outer wall adjacent thereto, a spring catch device acting between said side portions and adapted to coact with one of the walls of said bracelet and to lock the latter and said member together.

18. In bracelet construction, in combina-- tion, a bracelet end having a top wall and depending outer side walls, said side walls bcing extended inwardly and upwardly from the bottom forming a pair of inner walls spaced from said side walls, a member having two side portions held in spaced relation and each received between one of said inner walls and an outer wall adjacent thereto, a spring catch device acting between said sidc portions and adapted to coact with one of the walls of said bracelet and to lock the latter and said member together, said device having means extending through one oi said side lil lli)

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portions and through a wall of said bracelet and to permit manual actuation thereof.

19. In bracelet construction, in combination, a bracelet end having a top wall and depending outer side walls, said side walls being extended inwardly and upwardly from the bottom forming a pair or' inner walls spaced from said side walls, a member 'having two side portions held in spaced relation and each received between one of said inner walls and an outer wall adjacent thereto, a spring catch device acting between said side portions and adapted to coact with one of the walls of said bracelet and to lock the latter and said member together, and end wall members on said member coacting to confine said device between said side portions.

20. In bracelet construction, in combination, a bracelet end having a top wall and depending outer side walls, said side walls being extended inwardly and upwardly from the bottom forming a pair of inner walls spaced from said side walls, a member having two side portions held in spaced relation and each received between one of said inner walls and an outer wall adjacent thereto, and a spring catch device acting between said side portions and adapted to coact with one of the walls of said bracelet and to lock the latter and said member together, said member having end wall portions and a bottom wall coacting to confine and enclose said device.

2l. In bracelet construction, in combination, a bracelet end having a top wall and depending outer side walls, said side walls being extended inwardly and upwardly from the bottom forming a pair of inner walls spaced from said side walls, a member having two side portions held in spaced relation and each received between one of said inner walls and an outer wall adjacent thereto, and a spring catch device acting between said side portions and adapted to coact with one ot the walls of said bracelet and to lock the latter and said member together, said member having top and bottom and end walls for substantially enclosing and conlining said device.

22. In bracelet construction, in combination, a bracelet end having a top wall and depending outer side walls, said side Walls being extended inwardly and upwardly from the bottom forming a pair of inner walls spaced from said side walls, a member having two side portions held in spaced relation and each received between one of said inner walls and an outer wall adjacent thereto, a substantially U-shaped spring catch device movable with said member and having a laterally projecting portion adapted to coact with one of said inner walls of the bracelet end, said inner wall having a recess with which said projection coacts.

23. In bracelet construction, in combination, a bracelet end having a top wall and depending outer side walls, said side walls being extended inwardly and upwardly from the bottom forming a pair of inner walls spaced troni said side walls, a member having two side portions held in spaced relation and each receive d between one of said inner walls and an enter wall adjacent thereto, said member h a ving a top wall underlying the top wall or said bracelet end, a spring catch device for locking said member and said bracelet end together, and means operable at will forI` locking said two top walls against relative movement therebetween.

24. In bracelet construction, in combination, a bracelet end having a top wall and depending outer side walls, said side walls being extended inwardly and upwardly from the bottom forming a pair of inner walls spaced from said side walls, a member having two side portions held in spaced relation and each received between one of said inner walls and an outer wall adjacent thereto, said member having atop wall underlying the top wall ot said bracelet end, a spring catch device for locking said member and said bracelet end together, said second-mentioned top wall having a recess therein, and means coacting with said bracelet end and said recess and operable at will for locking said member and said bracelet end together.

25. In bracelet construction, in combination, a bracelet end having a top wall and depending outer side walls, said side walls being extended inwardly and upwardly from 'he bottom forming a pair oiI inner walls spaced from said side walls, a member having two side portions held in spaced relation and each received between one of said inner walls and an outer wall adjacent thereto, said member having a top wall underlying the top wall of said bracelet end, a spring catch device for locking said member and said bracelet end together, each of said top walls having recesses adapted to register when said spring catch locks the parts together, and means adapted to enter said recesses for locking said bracelet end and member together.

26. In bracelet construction, in combination, a bracelet end having a top wall and spaced side walls, a second bracelet end having side walls and means for holding the latter in spaced relation and adapted to be telescopically received within said first bracelet end, a spring catch device within said second bracelet end i'or latching said two ends together, said device having a member projecting beyond the face of'a wall of the outer bracelet end tor manually actuating the device, and means carried by one of said bracelet ends and adapted at will to be moved into a position to prevent actuationof said member.

27. In bracelet construction, in combination, a bracelet end having a top Wall and spaced side Walls, a. second bracelet end having side walls and means for holding the latter in s aced relatioli and ada ted to be telescopicaiiy received Within sai first bracelet ond, a spring catch device within said second bracelet end for latching said two ends t0- gether, said device having a member projecting beyond the face of a Wall of the outer bracelet end for manually actuating the device, one wall member of each of said bracelet ends having a recess and said recesses being adapted to register when one bracelet end is telescoped into lche other and means carried by one of said ends and adapted at Will to be moved into a position to prevent actuation of said member and provided with means passing into said registering recesses to lock said ends together.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specication this 31st day of August, 1927.

AXEL PERSON. 

